Sanwei HC.5S

Have revently bought two Sanwei HC.5s blades from a German supplier. Both are very light (74g and 76g). Compared to the normal HC.5 blade, they changed the handle (FL) design and handle size. HC.5s has a slightly bigger handle, which is superb for European players, and the handle is slightly longer (101mm). Blade size is 157mm x 150mm and blade thickness is 6mm. The blue plastic inlay has given way to a much nicer metal one. It looks very classy now. I finally gave up on my Yinhe/Galaxy T-6 blades in favour of these two HC.5s blades, because the HC.5s is only a little slower and softer than a very light T-6, but it gives you such a superb feeling of being in control. Also, it has a higher throw arc. I would say it is between Off- and Off. I paired it with Tenergy 25fx (1.9) on my backhand and Nittaku Fastarc C-1 (2.0) on my forehand and these medium/soft rubbers work well. Vega Japan and Victas V-01 stiff (both 2,0mm) both still worked really well on the forehand, but the Fastarc C-1 worked best. My backhand has now improved considerably, I guess that maybe the T-6 was too stiff for my style of backhand looping. All in all, I can really recommend this blade highly.

I use the HC5s with FH DHS Hurricane III Neo and BH Friendship Battle II. No matter how much backspin there is in the ball, as long as it is long enough, you can always put pressure on it with this combo.

Super inner soft carbon blade with great feeling hinoki top ply. 25mm handle fits perfectly in my hand. The only carbon blade that can be used by anyone as it oozes feeling and control. There are weight variations so heavier blades 85g+ will be off- to off lighter ones will play like all+. My match blade from a choice of 20+ others from Butterfly Donic Stiga OSp……. The veneers and finish are of very good quality. Superb value for money.

Bought this on the strength of its wonderful HC5 predecessor because it is available with a straight handle. At first I much preferred the old version but my view was based on blades with very different weights 94 and 80 grams respectively. The handle on the HC5S is very comfortable and the largest girth of my collection of some 20 blades barring the thick balsa core and one ply hinoki. Totally unexpected from a Chinese brand, but then these are designed for the European Market. Impressed I have bought two more blades progressively heavier by some 5 grams. I used short pimples on the fh and inverted on bh. Great blend of solidity and feeling due to the inner soft carbon topped by two layers of hinoki. My speed ratings are based on the mid weight of 85gms. You can increase or decrease speed to taste but this is the one of the few truly controllable carbon blades I have come across. Highly recommended to those with xlarge hands

Weight around 85g. Really nice offensive soft carbon blade. I tried this with a Sanwei Gear Hyper 39deg and a Sanwei Target Europe 40+ FX. This setup is so controllable that I feel like I can't miss a loop. The blade is perhaps more to the Off- side. So good when blocking as well.